To the guest who sent in the review that said "I would just like to say I absolutely love this and I keep coming back to read it. They way you describe your characters (especially how they got their nicknames!) is wonderful - I feel attached to them in only a couple of chapters. I really hope that you will continue this some day", I curse thee for now you have made me feel incredibly guilty. Here's another chapter just for you. Because I lost my voice and can do nothing but wallow in my guilt. ;)

Ben knew he was dreaming, but he couldn't find it in himself to care as he sat on the front porch of his dad's house in Crabapple Cove. The wind blew his blue robe a bit, causing a shiver to run up his spine. It was a perfect morning in Maine, and he was content to just take it all in and drink his piping hot coffee. The sun was shining and that was good enough for him.

Shuffling sounds behind him stirred him from his relaxation. He turned his head and caught a glimpse of his dad puttering around the kitchen, probably trying to make his own batch of the sweet nectar of the gods. Daniel Pierce glanced through the window and smiled, causing Ben to immediately make a silly face before breaking out into a grin.

His dad quickly joined him on the porch and groaned as he sat down. "Never get old, Hawkeye", he said as his knees popped, "it's not worth all the fuss."

Ben just smiled and bumped the older man's shoulder, "You got a fountain of youth hiding around here then? Because I don't really see another option."

"Oh, hush you…", Dad was cut off by the mailman walking up to the porch, "Hello, James, I see we have some mail today?"

The mailman smiled before handing a small stack of mail to him, "Of course, Dr. Pierce, there are some letters for your practice." He almost turned away but then spun back around. "I almost forgot! You have a letter too, Ben. It looks like it got rerouted a couple of times, must be important."

He passed a letter to Ben, and then waved before continuing on his route.

Ben looked at the letter in confusion, apparently some of his mail from Boston had made it all the way to Crabapple Cove. He opened it and an official looking letter fell out.

ORDER TO REPORT FOR INDUCTION

The President of the United States,

To Benjamin Franklin Pierce

Order No. 251….

He dropped the letter.

"I can't go to Korea!" Ben looked at his dad desperately. Pierce senior merely put on a sad smile and shook his head.

"Oh, son, you're already there."

Ben jolted awake to the sound of artillery shells hitting the hills around the 339th temporary camp. It was September 12th. His papers were still missing. He was being shelled on by enemy fire. He was in Korea. He's 28 and he wants to be anywhere but here.